2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
The Lord is not slow
The phrase "The Lord is not slow" addresses a common misunderstanding about God's timing. The Greek word for "slow" is "bradynō," which implies delay or tardiness. In the historical context, early Christians were anxious about the perceived delay in Christ's return. This phrase reassures believers that God's timing is perfect and intentional, not subject to human impatience or misunderstanding.

to fulfill His promise
The "promise" refers to the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. The Greek word "epangelia" signifies a divine assurance. Throughout Scripture, God’s promises are depicted as certain and trustworthy. This phrase emphasizes that God is faithful and will accomplish what He has pledged, reinforcing the reliability of His word.

as some understand slowness
This phrase highlights the human tendency to misinterpret divine timing. The Greek word "tardiness" is "bradytēs," which suggests a lack of speed. Historically, some believers doubted the imminence of Christ's return, interpreting the delay as a failure of promise. This serves as a reminder that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

but is patient with you
The word "patient" comes from the Greek "makrothymeō," meaning long-suffering or enduring. This reflects God's merciful nature, as He withholds judgment to allow more time for repentance. The historical context shows God's patience throughout Israel's history, repeatedly giving opportunities for repentance and restoration.

not wanting anyone to perish
"Not wanting" translates from the Greek "boulomai," indicating a deliberate will or desire. God's desire is for salvation, not destruction. The word "perish" (Greek "apollymi") means to be lost or destroyed. This phrase underscores God's loving nature, emphasizing His desire for all to be saved, aligning with 1 Timothy 2:4.

but everyone to come to repentance
The term "everyone" (Greek "pas") is inclusive, signifying all people without exception. "To come" translates from "chōreō," meaning to make room or advance. "Repentance" (Greek "metanoia") involves a transformative change of heart and mind. This phrase highlights the universal call to repentance, a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting God's grace and the opportunity for redemption through Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lord
Refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and divine nature.

2. Peter
The apostle who authored this epistle, addressing early Christians.

3. Early Christians
The recipients of Peter's letter, facing challenges and awaiting Christ's return.

4. Promise
Refers to the promise of Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's plan.

5. Repentance
A key theme in Christian doctrine, involving a change of mind and turning away from sin.
Teaching Points
God's Patience
God's delay is not a sign of forgetfulness but of His immense patience, giving humanity time to repent.

Understanding God's Timing
Human perception of time differs from God's eternal perspective. Trust in His perfect timing.

Call to Repentance
The verse underscores the importance of repentance as a response to God's patience and love.

Evangelistic Urgency
While God is patient, believers are called to share the Gospel actively, knowing that His return is certain.

Hope in God's Promise
Believers can find hope and assurance in God's promise, knowing He desires salvation for all.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's patience change your perspective on unanswered prayers or delayed promises?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in God's desire for everyone to come to repentance?

3. How does this verse challenge you to view those who have not yet accepted Christ?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to align your life with God's timing and purposes?

5. How can the connection between 2 Peter 3:9 and other scriptures like Romans 2:4 and 1 Timothy 2:4 deepen your understanding of God's character?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 2:4
Highlights God's kindness and patience, leading to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:4
Expresses God's desire for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ezekiel 18:23
Shows God's pleasure in repentance rather than the death of the wicked.

Matthew 24:14
Connects to the fulfillment of God's promise and the spread of the Gospel before the end comes.
The Divine CommandmentU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 3:1-9
Fact of Second Coming, Especially in its AccompanimentsR. Finlayson 2 Peter 3:1-10
People
Paul, Peter
Places
Asia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus
Topics
Account, Anyone, Bears, Counselling, Count, Delay, Desire, Desiring, Destruction, Evil, Forbearing, Fulfilling, Keeping, Longsuffering, Long-suffering, Lost, Mercy, Pass, Patient, Patiently, Perish, Promise, Reach, Reformation, Regard, Repentance, Seems, Sense, Slack, Slackness, Slow, Slowness, Speak, Towards, Understand, Us-ward, Waiting, Wanting, Willing, Wishing, You-ward
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Peter 3:9

     1035   God, faithfulness
     1095   God, patience of
     1115   God, purpose of
     1175   God, will of
     1310   God, as judge
     5762   attitudes, God to people
     5818   contempt
     5877   hesitation
     5934   restraint
     5977   waiting
     6025   sin, and God's character
     6615   atonement, necessity
     6734   repentance, importance
     8301   love, and enemies
     8318   patience
     8426   evangelism, motivation
     9023   death, unbelievers
     9210   judgment, God's

2 Peter 3:1-10

     8670   remembering

2 Peter 3:3-9

     2565   Christ, second coming

2 Peter 3:3-10

     5467   promises, divine

2 Peter 3:8-9

     4925   delay, divine
     5003   human race, and God

2 Peter 3:9-12

     4007   creation, and God

2 Peter 3:9-13

     2565   Christ, second coming

Library
Twenty Seventh Sunday after Trinity to the Reader.
Text: 2 Peter 3, 3-7. TO THE READER. When the year has twenty-seven Sundays after Trinity, which seldom occurs, substitute the text of 2 Peter 3, 3-7 for the twenty-sixth Sunday and use the text of the twenty-sixth Sunday for the twenty-seventh Sunday.
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Be Diligent
'Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.'--2 Peter iii. 14. As we pass the conventional boundary of another year, most of us, I suppose, cast glances into the darkness ahead. To those of us who have the greater part of our lives probably before us, the onward look will disclose glad possibilities. To some of us, who have life mostly behind us, the prospect will take 'a sober colouring from an eye that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Growth
'But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ....'--2 Peter iii. 18. These are the last words of an old man, written down as his legacy to us. He was himself a striking example of his own precept. It would be an interesting study to examine these two letters of the Apostle Peter, in order to construct from them a picture of what he became, and to contrast it with his own earlier self when full of self-confidence, rashness, and instability. It took a lifetime for Simon,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Thirty-First Day. Holiness and Heaven.
Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of men ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?'--2 Pet. iii. 11. 'Follow after the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.'--Heb. xii. 14. 'He that is holy, let him be made holy still.... The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the holy ones. Amen.'--Rev. xxii. 11, 21. O my brother, we are on our way to see God. We have been invited to meet the Holy One face to face. The infinite mystery of holiness, the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life eternal, John xvii. 3, and our measure of knowledge of him here being but imperfect, for we know but in part, it cannot but be an useful duty, and a desirable thing, to be growing in this knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. i. 10. Knowledge must be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for other Christian
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture;
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Properties of Sanctifying Grace
By a property (proprium, {GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}) we understand a quality which, though not part of the essence of a thing, necessarily flows from that essence by some sort of causation and is consequently found in all individuals of the same species.(1155) A property, as such, is opposed to an accident (accidens, {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Growth in Grace.
Text--But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.--2 Pet. iii. 18. I MUST conclude this Course of Lectures by giving converts instructions on the subject of growth in grace. I shall pursue the following method: I. What is grace, as the term is here used? II. What the injunction "to grow in grace" does not mean. III. What it does mean. IV. Conditions of growth in grace. V. What is not proof of growth in grace. VI. What is proof of growth in grace. VII How to grow in
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

God's Call
What manner of persons ought ye to be?' (2 Peter iii. 11.) 'As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.' (1 Peter i. 15, 16.) When we set up standards for life and character we must be quite clear that our teaching fits in with God's purpose as revealed towards His people. Therefore, when we enforce the doctrine of personal Holiness, there is no reason more weighty than that which Peter gives us in the verses
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

Growth in Grace
'But grow in grace.' 2 Pet 3:38. True grace is progressive, of a spreading and growing nature. It is with grace as with light; first, there is the crepusculum, or daybreak; then it shines brighter to the full meridian. A good Christian is like the crocodile. Quamdiu vivet crescit; he has never done growing. The saints are not only compared to stars for their light, but to trees for their growth. Isa 61:1, and Hos 14:4. A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

On Predestination
"Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son: -- Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Romans 8:29, 30. Our beloved brother Paul," says St. Peter, "according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Spiritual Growth
Thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring whose waters fail not.' (Isaiah lviii. 11.) 'Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' (2 Peter iii. 18.) The truths of the Bible exist in counterpart, having at least two aspects, each of which must be considered in relation to the other, if their full meaning is to be understood. That is a very necessary statement in regard to the aspect of truth which we emphasize under the general heading of 'Spiritual
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

The Work of God in Our Work.
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ."--1 Thess. v. 23. The difference between sanctification and good works should be well understood. Many confound the two, and believe that sanctification means to lead an honorable and virtuous life; and, since this is equal to good works, sanctification, without which no man shall see God, is made to consist in the earnest and diligent
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The New Testament Canon in the First Three Centuries.
The first Christians relied on the Old Testament as their chief religious book. To them it was of divine origin and authority. The New Testament writings came into gradual use, by the side of the older Jewish documents, according to the times in which they appeared and the names of their reputed authors. The Epistles of Paul were the earliest written; after which came the Apocalypse, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and other documents, all in the first century. After the first gospel had undergone a
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

God Rejoicing in the New Creation
THIS PASSAGE, like the rest of Isaiah's closing chapters, will have completest fulfillment in the latter days when Christ shall come, when the whole company of his elect ones shall have been gathered out from the world, when the whole creation shall have been renewed, when new heavens and a new earth shall be the product of the Savior's power, when, for ever and for ever, perfected saints of God shall behold his face, and joy and rejoice in him. I hope and believe that the following verses will actually
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
OR, THE TRUTH OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODIES, BOTH OF GOOD AND BAD AT THE LAST DAY: ASSERTED, AND PROVED BY GOD'S WORD. ALSO, THE MANNER AND ORDER OF THEIR COMING FORTH OF THEIR GRAVES; AS ALSO, WITH WHAT BODIES THEY DO ARISE. TOGETHER, WITH A DISCOURSE OF THE LAST JUDGMENT, AND THE FINAL CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD. BY JOHN BUNYAN, A SERVANT OF THE LORD'S CHRIST. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Twenty-Fifth Day. Holy and Blameless.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.--The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.'--1 Thess. ii. 10, iii. 12, 13. 'He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
In 2 Timothy, 3:16, Paul declares: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" but there are some people who tell us when we take up prophecy that it is all very well to be believed, but that there is no use in one trying to understand it; these future events are things that the church does not agree about, and it is better to let them alone, and deal only with those prophecies which have already been
Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope

The Recovery and Revival of the Blessed Hope Itself.
In Daniel 12:4, 9, 10 we read--"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. ** And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the Time of the End. Many shall be purified, and made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." [9] As we shall yet seek to show this prophecy is a composite one
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Links
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
2 Peter 3:9 NASB
2 Peter 3:9 KJV

2 Peter 3:9 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Peter 3:8
Top of Page
Top of Page